Red River Gorge Restoration and Watershed Plan Chapter 3: Learning More - Monitoring to Secure New Data Draft

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1 Red River Gorge Restoration and Watershed Plan Chapter 3: Learning More - Monitoring to Secure New Data Draft There are two main goals of watershed planning: protect good water quality and improve poor water quality. The Red River Gorge Restoration and Watershed Plan project is working toward both of these goals. The work presented in Chapter 2 created an inventory of available information about the project area and its subwatersheds. Now additional data and in-depth analysis are needed to identify current pollutant sources and guide implementation projects to places where they will have the most benefit. It is important to remember that watershed planning addresses nonpoint source pollution. Nonpoint source pollution is pollution originating from diffuse areas (land surface or atmosphere) having no well-defined point of origin. Pollutants are generally carried off the land and into waterways by rain or melting snow. Common nonpoint sources are parking lots, construction, agriculture, forestry, recreation, urban land uses, dams, and city streets. Existing Data Existing data about the watershed were presented in Chapter 2. This is valuable information, providing a background on the conditions of the four focus streams of the project. Indian Creek, Gladie Creek, and Clifty Creek are considered to be in good condition with high quality waters and habitat. Swift Camp Creek and an unnamed tributary are impaired waterways. The existing data include water quality data collected for the Total Maximum Daily Load study on Swift Camp Creek by the Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) in Habitat and biological data collected by the Daniel Boone National Forest and KDOW for many sites scattered across the project area were also included (see Appendix B). There are no Kentucky River Watershed Watch sites within the project area. The existing data from KDOW and Daniel Boone National Forest are used in the analysis with the new data collected in Chapter 4. New Stream Water Quality Monitoring The purpose of collecting new data is to create a better understanding of the current conditions in each stream. Data were collected specifically for this project at twelve sites for one year. Sites were selected based on their proximity to pertinent land use features, tributary confluences, and available access in order to better isolate sources of pollution and areas for protection (see Figure 3.1 and Tables 3.1 and 3.2). This project is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under 319(h) of the Clean Water Act through the Kentucky Division of Water to the Daniel Boone National Forest (Grant # C ). 1

2 Figure 3.1: Water quality monitoring sites in the project area (USFS 2012). 2

3 The new data for this project were collected by three entities: Morehead State University, the Daniel Boone National Forest, and Third Rock Consulting. The sampling was conducted according to guidelines in the Watershed Planning Guidebook for Kentucky Communities, first edition (see Table 3.2) and the Quality Assurance Project Plan (see Appendix C). In order to better understand the implications of these data, they must be examined within the context of the relevant watershed area. A subwatershed is the watershed area upstream of the sampling location. A source is an area of a subwatershed that is contributing a pollutant. General information about water quality parameters what each parameter means and how it is collected can be found in the Watershed Planning Guidebook for Kentucky Communities, first edition. The Watershed Basics section reviews watershed planning, regulatory issues, and the science behind water quality testing. Hard copies may be available, or it can be viewed online: Water quality and bacteria The water quality and bacteria sampling was conducted by Morehead State University s Water Quality Lab from July 2011 until June Sampling was done over the course of a year, collected monthly, to capture different conditions and environmental situations. The Morehead lab processed the bacteria (E. coli) samples, and the rest of the samples were processed by Fouser Lab in Versailles, Kentucky. Field data such as water temperature, flow, and ph were measured onsite at each visit with an Orion Field Meter. For bacterial (E. coli) testing, sites were sampled once a month and 5 times in 30 days in May. In total, there were 7 sites sampled for E. coli 16 times each (5/30 in May plus once a month for other months). Eight sites were sampled for water quality parameters 12 times (once a month for one year). There were two wet weather and two dry weather sampling events. Biology Biological sampling in the Swift Camp Creek Subwatershed was conducted by Third Rock Consulting in the summer of 2011 to establish the biological and habitat conditions. The survey was conducted at four sites on Swift Camp Creek in Campton. Daniel Boone National Forest personnel conducted biological sampling at sites in the Indian, Creek, Gladie Creek, and Clifty Creek Subwatersheds (see Table 3.1) in the summer of All of these data will used in the biological analysis in Chapter 4. This project is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under 319(h) of the Clean Water Act through the Kentucky Division of Water to the Daniel Boone National Forest (Grant # C ). 3

4 Table 3.1: Sample sites and parameters for new data collection for the Red River Gorge Restoration and Watershed Plan project. Sampling Sites and Parameters Swift Camp Creek sites These four sites were sampled for water quality parameters, bacteria, and biology: DOW Unnamed Tributary off State Road 15 DOW Off KY 15; Between Family Dollar and the Car Wash DOW Campton WWTP outfall (sample taken in stream) DOW Below Hiram Branch; off unpaved road to oil well; below lake Indian Creek sites These three sites were sampled for water quality parameters and bacteria: DOW Off Bear Branch Road, on what was once a Forest Service Jeep Trail DBF04015 At the mouth of Indian Creek at the road 613 Bridge These three sites were sampled for biology only: DBF New Site on Edwards Branch, above 613 Road DBF East Fork Indian Creek, downstream from Hall Sink Branch DBF Little East Fork, just upstream of East Fork Indian Creek Gladie Creek sites This site was sampled for biology only: DBF Gladie Creek (upstream), downstream of Browns Branch This site was sampled for water quality parameters only: DOW Gladie Creek (downstream), 0.25 miles upstream of HWY 746 Bridge. Clifty Creek site The site was sampled for biology only: DBF New Site downstream of Osborne Branch. 4

5 Table 3.2: Watershed Plan Monitoring Group Parameter Monthly 5X/30days May or June 1X/year May or June Every Time Standard Operating Pro. Bacteria E.coli (Escherichia coli) x x DOWSOP03017 NO3/ NO2 (Nitrate/Nitrite) x DOWSOP03015 NH3-N (Ammonia Nitrogen) x DOWSOP03015 TKN (Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen) x DOWSOP03015 TP (Total Phosphorous) x DOWSOP03015 OP (Orthophosphate) x DOWSOP03015 BOD5* (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) x DOWSOP03015 Sediment TSS (Total Suspended Solids) x DOWSOP03015 Flow Stream Discharge x DOWSOP03019 Field Data Turbidity (actual or estimated) x DOWSOP03014/ DOWSOP0315 ph x DOWSOP03014 DO (Dissolved Oxygen) x DOWSOP03014 Conductivity x DOWSOP03014 % Saturation (Percentage of DO) x DOWSOP03014 Temperature x DOWSOP03014 Habitat Habitat Assessment x DOW SOPs Biology Biological Assessment x DOW SOPs *BOD5: the amount of dissolved oxygen consumed in five days by biological processes breaking down organic matter. The Watershed Planning Guidebook for Kentucky Communities, first edition (2010), page 83. 5

6 The State of Kentucky has criteria for certain water quality parameters, either numeric or narrative. Numeric water quality criteria include the parameters listed in Table 3.3. Narrative water quality criteria include provisions that surface waters shall not be aesthetically or otherwise degraded by substances that: Settle to form objectionable deposits; Float as debris, scum, oil, or other matter to form a nuisance; Produce objectionable color, odor, taste, or turbidity; Injure, are chronically or acutely toxic to or produce adverse physiological or behavioral responses in humans, animals, or fish and other aquatic life; Produce undesirable aquatic life or result in the dominance of nuisance species; or Cause fish flesh tainting. Table 3.3: Numeric Criteria: Warmwater Aquatic Habitat, Primary/Secondary Contact Recreation. Parameter Values Dissolved Oxygen 5.0 mg/l Daily Average; 4.0 mg/l Instantaneous ph Temperature Total Dissolved Solids Total Suspended Solids Settleable Solids Ammonia Fecal Coliform (Primary Contact Recreation) Escherichia Coli (Primary Contact Recreation) Fecal Coliform (Secondary Contact Recreation) Standard Units 89 F Instantaneous; 84 F 30-Day Summer Average (31.7 and 28.9 C, respectively) No adverse effects on indigenous aquatic community No adverse effects on indigenous aquatic community No adverse effects on indigenous aquatic community < 0.05 mg/l after mixing 200 CFU / 100 ml geometric mean for 5 samples over 30 days, 5/1 10/31. 20% of samples must not exceed 400 CFUs. 130 CFU / 100 ml geometric mean for 5 samples over 30 days, 5/1 10/31. 20% of samples must not exceed 240 CFUs CFU / 100 ml geometric mean for 5 samples over 30 days, year-round 20% of samples must not exceed 2000 CFUs. Source: Kentucky Water Quality Standards (401 KAR 10:031). Table 3.3 covers Warmwater Aquatic Habitat. Swift Camp Creek is designated for Coldwater Aquatic Habitat. Note that there are different standards for temperature and dissolved oxygen for Coldwater Aquatic Habitat: This project is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under 319(h) of the Clean Water Act through the Kentucky Division of Water to the Daniel Boone National Forest (Grant # C ). 6

7 (2) Cold water aquatic habitat. The following parameters and criteria are for the protection of productive cold water aquatic communities and streams that support trout populations, whether self-sustaining or reproducing, on a year-round basis. The criteria adopted for the protection of warm water aquatic life also apply to the protection of cold water habitats with the following additions: (a) Dissolved oxygen. 1. A minimum concentration of six and zero-tenths (6.0) mg/l as a twenty-four (24) hour average and five and zero-tenths (5.0) mg/l as an instantaneous minimum shall be maintained. 2. In lakes and reservoirs that support trout, the concentration of dissolved oxygen in waters below the epilimnion shall be kept consistent with natural water quality; and (b) Temperature. Water temperature shall not be increased through human activities above the natural seasonal temperatures (401 KAR 10:031). Benchmarks Parameters such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and conductivity are important to consider in overall stream health, but there are no legal Kentucky state standards for these and other parameters. In lieu of state standards, benchmark standards were created by KDOW based on data collected on Reference Reach Streams (see Table 3.4). Conditions in these relatively undisturbed streams can serve as the target level for other streams. These benchmark values are meant to be a guide for putting water quality data results into context. The complete explanation for the benchmarks and the process by which they were developed can be found in Appendix C. Table 3.4: Parameters benchmarks for the Red River Gorge Restoration and Watershed Plan Project. Parameter Benchmark Value Nutrient: Total Phosphorus mg/l Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen mg/l Nitrate-Nitrite mg/l Total Nitrogen mg/l Non-Nutrient: Ammonia-N <0.050 mg/l Unionized Ammonia 0.05 mg/l Sulfate 20.0 mg/l Specific Conductance 218 (µs/cm) Alkalinity 72.2 (mg/l as CaCO₃) Total Suspended Solids* 6.0 mg/l Turbidity* 5.9 NTU *For TSS and Turbidity, these reference benchmarks are only to compare normal April-October flow conditions and not high flow events or winter samples. (Benchmarks provided by KDOW 2012). This project is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under 319(h) of the Clean Water Act through the Kentucky Division of Water to the Daniel Boone National Forest (Grant # C ). 7

8 Appendix C Red River Watershed Plan Benchmark Recommendations for Non-Nutrient Parameters Kentucky Division of Water - 5/8/12 Consult water quality standards for parameters that have a numeric standard (e.g., ph, dissolved oxygen). Note that the watershed contains segments designated as Outstanding State Resource Water (OSRW) and Cold Water Aquatic Habitat, which have a lower or additional water quality standards relative to Warm Water Aquatic Habitat designated segments. In general, for non-nutrient parameters that do not have numeric standards, use the 75 th percentile of ecoregional Reference Reach data from Ecoregion 70, Western Allegheny Plateau, for data screening and prioritization (see table below). This conservative upper range provides the best estimate of regional expectations based on reference conditions, with the following qualifications/exceptions: For TSS and Turbidity, use these reference benchmarks only to compare normal April-October flow conditions and not high flow events or winter samples. The reference stream data came exclusively from biology sampling visits which are conducted only during stable flow conditions during these months. New monitoring data collected for the watershed plan project may identify streams where suspended sediment issues are minimal; if so, then high flow sample events from those streams could be used to derive a high flow screening benchmark. For Unionized Ammonia, use the WQS of 0.05mg/L as the main benchmark for screening. However, there may be cases where there is a concern for chronic effects to sensitive mussels at lower concentrations of unionized ammonia, especially at higher temperature and ph. If Ammonia-N at a site is routinely higher than 0.1 mg/l, then consult with the KDOW Nonpoint Source Section Technical Advisor (TA) to review the data for that site for potential chronic ammonia issues. Benchmarks for data screening and prioritization may be lower than those to be used ultimately as targets for reduction in the watershed plan, since reference conditions may be well below reductions necessary to restore uses. Targets for reduction should take into consideration the extent and magnitude of problems as well as achievability. Consult the TA for assistance during goal-setting phases. Ecoregional Reference summary Ecoregion Number samples MIN MAX MED 75 th Percentile 90 th Percentile Ammonia-N (mg/l) < <0.050 <0.050 <0.050 Unionized Ammonia (mg/l) < Sulfate (mg/l)

9 Ecoregion Number samples MIN MAX MED 75 th Percentile 90 th Percentile Specific Conductance (µs/cm) Alkalinity (mg/l as CaCO₃) TSS (mg/l) < Turbidity (NTU) This project is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under 319(h) of the Clean Water Act through the Kentucky Division of Water to the Daniel Boone National Forest (Grant # C ). 9

10 Red River Watershed Plan Benchmark Recommendations for Nutrient Parameters Kentucky Division of Water - 5/8/2012 Nutrient benchmarks given here represent the best information available to the Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) at this time. They are estimates of typical in-stream concentrations below which it is unlikely that nutrients are a cause of observed impairments. As such, they are useful in identifying subbasins with potential nutrient issues when setting priorities for further monitoring or for development of load reduction strategies. In making these recommendations we have considered regional and watershed-specific nutrient expectations, regional-scale patterns in biological effects, and specific indicators of nutrient enrichment observed in the watershed. These benchmarks may be more stringent than targets to be used ultimately as management endpoints; watershed-specific characteristics, practical considerations, and insight gained from early phase monitoring might suggest alternate values for that purpose. The Watershed Group may wish to discuss with KDOW alternative benchmarks and/or targets based on more detailed local information or consultation with experts familiar with the watershed. A summary of candidate benchmarks is given here along with a final set of recommendations to provide more assistance in interpreting nutrient data throughout project phases. Ecoregional Reference Reach candidate benchmarks: The watersheds for this project lie within the Ohio-Kentucky Carboniferous Plateau (70f) and the Northern Forested Plateau Escarpment (70g) sub-ecoregions of the Allegheny Plateau (Ecoregion 70). Reference Reaches in these ecoregions are typically low in nutrients. Since Reference Reach nutrient concentrations differ somewhat within the Allegheny Plateau, only those specific sub-ecoregions are summarized here for selecting candidate benchmarks. Reference Reach nutrient sample summary for sub-ecoregions 70f, 70g and combined: Ecoregion Number Samples MIN MAX MED 75 th percentile 90 th percentile TP(mg/L) 70f 24 < <0.020 < g 26 < <0.010 < fg 50 < <0.010 < NN(mg/L) 70f 33 < g 30 < fg 63 < TKN(mg/L) 70f 33 < <0.200 <0.200 < g 30 < <0.200 <0.200 < fg 63 < <0.200 <0.200 <0.500 TN(mg/L) 70f 33 <

11 70g fg 63 < * the calculated values for Total N are given as interval ranges that incorporate KY DEP s detection and quantitation limits for Nitrate-Nitrite-N and TKN (0.010/0.020 and 0.200/0.500, respectively) Watershed reference candidate benchmarks: If there are segments within the project watershed(s) or within closely comparable watersheds where uses are fully supported, then nutrient data from those streams can be summarized as a watershed reference. These need not be Reference Reaches designated by KDOW, as long as they have been assessed as being fully supporting of the most sensitive use, in this case aquatic life, and have substantial nutrient data available. Although there are several streams within the project watersheds that have high biological integrity or are Reference Reaches, there are a limited number of nutrient samples from those streams. Blackwater Creek is a Reference Reach in 70f that coincides with an Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Network watershed rotating station, LRW008. Two years of monthly data are available for this station, summarized below: Number Samples MED 75 th percentile 90 th percentile TP(mg/L) 23 < NN(mg/L) TKN(mg/L) 23 <0.200 <0.500 <0.500 TN(mg/L) Effects-based candidate benchmarks: The entire watershed falls within the Mountains Bioregion and is not near a boundary. The benchmarks from a KDOW draft bioregional nutrient benchmarks report for the Mountains Bioregion are TP mg/l, TN mg/l. Those benchmarks were based largely on nutrient conditions observed in Reference Reaches and streams with Good-Excellent quality macroinvertebrate communities in the Mountains Bioregion, which encompasses Ecoregions 68, 69 and 70. Those benchmarks also were informed by literature guidelines that suggest that concentrations near below these levels represent oligotrophic conditions. Final benchmark recommendations: Because of the large number of OSRWs in the project area, benchmarks were selected from candidates conservatively so that even low level risks of nutrient effects on aquatic life can be identified. Total P TKN Nitrate-Nitrite-N Total N

12 Red River Gorge Watershed Restoration and Watershed Plan Quality Assurance Project Plan To be added. 12